"We met Ben at the 'Players Welcome Party' for the 2012 Pro Bowl at their hotel. I went up and introduced myself, told him I was in the Marine Corps, I gave him a coin and he was very cool. He is a great person and took the time out to talk to us. Very professional guy!! Not only did I get to go to this party, but I had field passes to the practices and the game and Big Ben was the biggest hit of them all. So many Steeler fans there, it was CRAZY! But he took the time to go and sign for them, even when the bus was about to take off, he stayed out there for a few more minutes, way too cool. Such an awesome guy, my brother and I were blown away!!" -- GySgt D.M. Trower
HMH-463
Maint Admin Chief
Squadron Gunny
MCBH, Kaneohe Bay HI

Thank you Danny!

February 9, 2013 - Miami University Hall of Fame Induction Weekend739 viewsBengals fan and MU alum Dan Plettner not only had the opportunity to attend the Hall of Fame Induction Dinner last Saturday, but also the opportunity to meet and chat with Big Ben.

He was kind enough to share his story with us:

I had a splendid experience at Ben Roethlisberger’s Miami University Hall of Fame Induction Dinner on Saturday evening. Ben was inducted alongside his posthumous coach, Terry Hoeppner. Ben’s emotions and words were a great tribute to Coach Hoeppner.

I had brought a football for which I frankly am still working toward a decent historical knowledge. I went up to Ben shortly before dinner and told him I had something I thought he might like to see. He smiled immediately as he saw the Redhawks logo on the ball’s finish and then he began examining the ball pretty closely.

I am still uncertain whether the football was actually used in practice and/or games… and whether it was definitively ever touched by Ben in 2003, but I loved the ball 10 times more the moment Ben remarked about the ball to the effect, “this ball has a lot of history.” Another former player at the event informed that the ball was a new model/style in ’03.

I enjoyed a normal conversation with “Big Ben” and he seemed to find my challenge of being a proud Miami alum simultaneous with being a Bengals fan pretty humorous. After talking, when I informed him that I’d be honored if he choose to sign the ball he graciously reached for my pen and took his time to choose a place to autograph it. After thanking him, I felt like a little kid and discretely walked the football around the perimeter of the room (rather than taking a direct route back to my table) so as not to “open the floodgates” for others to approach and ask for his autograph just before the dinner commenced.

Later, listening to the speeches from Ben (which truely honored Terry Hoeppner) and Terry’s wife really fully made me appreciate my good fortune for observing a special night in the history at Miami University.

It also helped me to appreciate Ben on a level different from what I’ve seen during his playing career. Ben showcased humor as a nice compliment to heartfelt emotions, even joking about a fictitious “Brian” who had been accidentally introduced (instead of Ben).

Ben, if you ever happen to read this: thank you for helping me to cherish your contribution to Miami University Athletics.

Best Always,
Dan Plettner

Summer Vacation Time - Steelers Style457 viewsDan Graham and his friends send “Cheers” from New Zealand!

Super Bowl XL Parade - 20051381 viewsThank you to Dave (and his uncle) for the photos!

Super Bowl XL Parade - 20051286 viewsThank you to Dave for the photos. His uncle was able to snap a few pictures as the parade rolled by him.

Super Bowl XL Parade - 20051187 viewsThank you to Dave for the photos!